CategoriesPatient Handling

Lateral Transfers: Know The Risks

The Risks of Repositioning a Patient

Caregivers and medical professionals perform countless lateral transfers per day. This procedure is best described as repositioning a patient from one surface to another. With the uncertainty of lateral transfers, both nurses and patients become vulnerable to handling injuries. Whether a patient’s in the ICU or being taken to surgery, several departments are responsible for conducting lateral transfers. With that said, the potential for a nursing injury or repositioning injury to occur increases significantly. Patients that require total care are even more susceptible to these injuries.

Typically, nurses move patients from one position to the next using the sheet underneath them. However, if there’s limited staffing, a plastic board is used to facilitate the process. Though this alternative can ease the physical effort required, it’s not a foolproof plan. In fact, it doesn’t reduce enough friction to compensate for the lack of human resources, resulting in precarious and often dangerous affairs. Simply put, when nurses reposition a patient, the success of a lateral transfer is contingent upon their combined strength and communication.

Unfortunately, these ineffective solutions predispose medical professionals to musculoskeletal disorders. Studies show that healthcare workers are 31 percent more likely to endure musculoskeletal pain caused by handling injuries. In addition to being debilitating, these injuries can also cost hospitals a pretty penny. Depending on the extent of the claim, hospitals may have to cover hundreds of thousands of dollars in injury costs.

To shed light on how unreliable these practices are, the Bureau of Labor Statistics conducted a study on safe patient handling programs. Their findings concluded that hospitals that implement secure lateral transfer procedures are 73 percent less likely to experience nursing or repositioning injuries. Using this information, the House introduced the Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act in 2015. In essence, this bill states that the Department of Labor is required to protect medical professionals from musculoskeletal disorders by improving mobility, patient handling, and injury prevention standards.

How Lateral Transfers Repositioning Risks Are Being Solved

With the growing prevalence of handling-related injuries, air-assisted transfer systems were developed. At the forefront of these developments was AirPal. This company is touted as the first to introduce air-assisted transfer systems, and their invention inspired others to follow suit. HoverMatt, for instance, offers air transfer systems that breathe security and physical ease into repositioning patients.

In addition to reducing friction, these systems also provide much-needed support. With these added elements, less manpower is required to oversee a safe lateral transfer. It also makes it easier for nurses to boost patients up in bed. To promote patient and staff safety, we at SPH Medical implement these cutting-edge systems into hospitals.

Why Choose Assisted Lateral Transfers Equipment?

With its vast benefits, more caregivers and hospitals are opting for this modern equipment. Most notably, air-assisted transfer systems eliminate handling risks, but they also provide a more comfortable experience for the patient. In other words, with air-assisted transfer equipment, patients don’t have to endure any discomfort. Traditional lateral transfers are often accompanied by unease and difficulty. With this savvy technology, a smooth transition is promised from one surface to the next.

With assistance from air transfer systems, patients say they feel as if they’re floating. Above all else, air-assisted transfer systems streamline repositioning matters, making the patient feel like less of a burden. When multiple hands are required to carry out this task, it can make the patient uncomfortable and self-conscious. Fortunately, air-assisted equipment brings patients great peace of mind, allowing them to receive optimal in-home or hospital care.

CategoriesPatient Handling

Epidural Safety for Patients and Staff

What is Epidural Safety?

Epidural Analgesia’s are used to reduce or completely eliminate pain. It is when the doctor inserts opioids or local anesthesia in their patient’s epidural space, which blocks the nerve roots. Staff and patients can be protected from injury when exercising epidural safety during this procedure.

Local anesthesia can include opioids such as morphine, hydromorphone, and fentanyl or drugs of a different class such as mepivacaine, lidocaine, bupivacaine, and ropivacaine. Mepivacaine and lidocaine can last up to 2.5 hours. Bupivacaine and ropivacaine are the options of choice for continuous epidural effusion because they last 4 to 7 hours. The walking epidural is a mix of narcotics, epinephrine, and local anesthesia that the doctor inserts into the patient’s epidural space.

Epidural Analgesia’s are often used during child birth to assist the woman in managing her pain. They are also utilized during surgery to numb the patient. Epidurals are often effective in blocking pain from the waist down. Their dosage is calculated by an anesthesiologist based on the type of epidural and how much of the patient needs to be numbed. They can eliminate pain for people in short term or long term situations.

Common Applications

Epidurals come in different types, depending on what they are being used for. Childbirth uses the standard epidural and the combined spinal epidural, which is also called the walking epidural. The walking epidural involves the administration needle coming in contact with the fluid around the spinal cord, whereas the needle does not meet the fluid around the spinal cord in the standard epidural.

The Benefits for Patients and Nurses

The benefits of having an epidural are plentiful. The walking epidural is beneficial because it allows for the mother to still have an awareness of the lower half of her body when giving birth. This allows the patient and nurse to coordinate the rhythm of her pushes. A walking epidural may or may not allow the mother to do cat and cow stretches. The standard epidural is beneficial because it completely eliminates feeling, which can avoid patients going into shock during invasive surgery, trauma, or child birth.

Epidural Safety and the Risks of Epidurals

The risks for patients when getting either type of epidural are low blood pressure, being mandated to stay in bed, and having to rely on a catheter. The catheter can cause problems such as the rare case of hematoma, epidural abscess, postdural puncture syndrome, and infection at the site of insertion.

Standard epidurals leave the patient with no feeling in the lower extremities, which can prevent the ability to shift in bed and the ability to move the baby into a more favorable position when birthing. Standard epidurals also involve the risk of local anesthetic toxicity, which can present with irritability, seizures, circumoral paresthesia, dysgeusia, cardiac dysrhythmias, tremors, and tinnitus.

The drugs used for epidurals can also have side effects on the patient. The opioids commonly used can cause nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, decreased levels of consciousness, and the excessive itchiness all over the body.

Nurses and medical personnel are at risk for getting injuries when administering epidurals as well. Positioning the patient correctly and supporting them while administering the epidural can be a potentially dangerous task. This has typically been a manual process of holding and supporting the patient. Manual patient handling is the cause of many back injuries for nurses across the country as well as strains and sprains. Musculoskeletal Disorders The Epidural Positioning Device is a key tool to keep the patient and doctor safe. It assists patients with maintaining the optimal position for their epidural to be administered. This is because it supports cervical, thoracic, and lumbar flexion. This positioning is essential because a patient can be paralyzed if they were to slip out of position while the needle was injected. The chair prevents doctors and staff from straining as well. It also allows patients more personal space, as opposed to traditional methods of epidural safety administration.

CategoriesInfection Prevention

NIOSH N95 Mask The Gold Standard for Protection

It has been a year since COVID-19 first changed the world. Today, masks are a common sight around the world. However, while most people have accepted a mask as a part of daily life, supply is still a pressing issue for the worldwide market. The future for masks is still up for discussion. The future starts by building up the supply. The global supply of N95 masks is still not sufficient. Regular consumers may not realize just how valuable the N95 mask is. These masks are much different from the cloth or disposable masks that most people wear on a daily basis. The N95 mask is designed to filter out 95 percent of airborne particles. This level of efficacy makes a NIOSH N95 mask the gold standard for protection during the pandemic.

To better understand the effectiveness of such masks, it is first important to distinguish between two different types. Some N95 masks are rated for surgical use. This is a key distinction. A Makrite N95 mask with a surgical rating has been tested for fluid resistance. This fluid resistance is critical in a surgical setting because of the inherent risks. The average person does not always need fluid resistance, but it is a useful tool for medical workers. One excellent example of a mask for such settings is the Makrite 910-N95FMX. It is the latest option that is NIOSH N95 Mask certified, and it offers dual protection from fluid and particles. In many ways, the Makrite 910-N95FMX represents the future of masking. Better quality and better protection will help contain the pandemic.

Given the effectiveness of the model 9500-N95 mask, it would make sense for everyone to use one. However, supply is still limited. According to official sources, the general public is still being discouraged from wearing the NIOSH N95 mask model. Instead, the supply is being prioritized for the medical community.

There does seem to be mobilization on this front. The United States recently invoked the Defense Protection Act. This act is designed to boost the production of critical supplies during times of crisis. Moreover, according to major suppliers, the act will help companies control the price and supply chain of such products.

That is good news, but it is not likely to fix the problem entirely. In many hospitals around the country, medical workers have to wear their coveted masks for up to five shifts. Mask use has increased 500 percent since last July. If medical employees are struggling to find new masks, the general public has an even tougher time. Most retailers have not had any stock of N95 mask products in a year.

This all comes as the pressure to mask up mounts. The United States is taking a more proactive approach, and the government has recommended that everyone wears masks for 100 days. Masks are now required on most public transit across the country. As new strains of COVID-19 become prevalent, some experts are recommending that the general public use a process of double masking to increase protection.

While vaccine distribution is expected to help turn the tide in the pandemic, the need for quality masks is not going away any time soon. Medical professionals still need the top tier of protection with model 9500-N95 masks. In order to secure a good supply, medical centers should work only with trusted suppliers. There have been many alternative supply solutions during the pandemic, but these options are less reputable and offer subpar results. When it comes to masks, this is not a time to cut corners. The safety of the medical workforce depends on quality.

This is why a trusted supplier like SPH Medical is such a good option. SPH Medical streamlines the supply chain by reducing the number of touchpoints. Without the middle man, SPH Medical works directly with factories to connect hospitals with the medical supplies they need like the Makrite N95 mask. Makrite has been serving the medical community since 1984, and it continues to be an important player thanks to its reliable masks.

The future is still uncertain. Therefore, it is important to have suppliers you trust. You can keep your staff safe with Makrite masks. Ensure your supply by working with SPH Medical.

CategoriesPatient Handling

Epidurals and Spinal Blocks

Most Common Use of Epidurals

There are many times when a patient wants to be or needs to be awake during surgery. The classic case is the Caesarean section when a mother cannot have her child vaginally. She wants to see and hold her baby the moment it’s born. This procedure is possible with the use of an epidural block. By injecting numbing medication into the epidural space just above the spinal cord, the woman can have surgery and not feel pain. And she can hold her baby. The most common use of epidurals is to relieve pain during labor when combined with CBD.

In order to understand what happens in an epidural or a spinal block, you have to know a little about the anatomy of the spinal cord and the coverings of the cord, called meninges.

Anatomy

The spinal cord itself is a long rope in which the fibers are neurons. The cord gets smaller as it gets farther away from the brain. This is because the neurons leave the cord and go out to innervate various body parts.

The meninges are fibrous coverings over the cord to protect it and keep the cerebrospinal fluid inside. The CSF circulates from the brain down along the cord.

There are three layers that cover the cord. The pia mater is the one next to the cord. It is covered by the arachnoid mater, which, in turn, is enclosed by the dura mater.

The pia mater adheres to the cord tightly. It runs up into the brain, following the gyrae and sulci and carries the blood vessels that supply the cord.

Above the pia mater is an open space called the subarachnoid space. This is where the CSF is found. The arachnoid mater is the roof of the subarachnoid space. The arachnoid mater has no innervation and no blood vessels. The subdural space contains fat and the venous sinuses.

The dura mater is two layers. One forms the floor of the subdural space. The other is the lining of the bone of the spinal column, forming the roof. Between the two linings is the epidurals space.

Epidural Block and Spinal Block

Epidural Block
Unlike the subarachnoid and the subdural spaces, the epidural space extends all the way from the brain to the end of the spinal cord. Under sterile conditions, local anesthesia is injected into the skin and a needle is inserted through the skin of the back into the epidural space. A sterile catheter is placed within the space, angled down towards the patient’s feet. The needle is removed. The catheter stays in place as long as it is needed so that the patient can receive further doses of medication, if required. Epidural pain relief is highly effective.

Spinal Block
The spinal block is simpler. Under sterile conditions and local anesthesia, a needle is inserted into the subarachnoid space, where the CSF is. Medication is injected into the space and the needle is withdrawn. This is a one-time injection only.

Proper positioning of the patient is essential in either of these procedures. The needle has to be placed in a tiny space no more than 0.4 mm deep. That’s 0.015 inches. Finding that tiny space and not being off to the side at all requires the hands of an expert. Anesthesiologists generally do these procedures.

They often use an epidural positioning device or an EPD. This epidural chair holds the patient very still and in the perfect position for the procedure. An EPD helps immensely when the patient is having severe pain during labor.

Labor pain can be intense and labors can be long and hard. Many women desire the epidurals. But not everyone can be guaranteed to hold still during the catheter insertion. Injury to the meninges or even the spinal cord itself can occur if the patient moves suddenly during the procedure. Nurses have been injured as well, trying to hold women still when the labor pains hit. Using the epidural chair keeps the nurses safe and minimizes the risks to the patient.

Many Labor and Delivery units are using the EPD to help improve safety for new moms and their babies and equally as important to insure the safety of our nurses.

CategoriesInfection Prevention

NIOSH N95 Masks for Public Use

The Growing Prevalence Of NIOSH N95 Masks

Before the coronavirus reared its fatal, viral, and contagious head, masks were predominantly worn by medical professionals. However, the world has been gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic for nearly a year, resulting in an increased demand for personal protective equipment. NIOSH N95 masks, in particular, are sought-after for their filtration efficiency, high surgical rating, and FDA approval. As these public demands remain on an upward trajectory, alternative suppliers are leaping at the opportunity to fill market gaps.

As an authorized distributor, we at SPH Medical understand the risks that come with opting for third-party vendors. In some cases, manufacturers use imitation materials and, in turn, produce cheap, inauthentic, and low-quality products. Not only does this take away from the efficacy of the N95 mask, but it also makes them less durable. To promote credibility and ensure peace of mind, we work directly with the factory. It’s for this reason why we’re a trusted source for surgical masks.

The Future Of NIOSH N95 Mask Production

Not surprisingly, we can anticipate a massive increase in the production and distribution of N95 masks. In fact, industry experts predict that domestic production will amount to roughly $1 billion in 2021. Much like third-party suppliers, we’ve also become heavily reliant on foreign vendors. In the hopes of scaling back our consumption of and reliance on overseas providers, companies are enhancing their domestic industrial capacity and capabilities.

Even still, we can expect unauthorized organizations to remain at the forefront of mask production and distribution. While third-party sellers have proven a godsend in times of need, consumers are now blurring the line between authenticity and convenience. For the sake of preserving our nation’s public health, we at SPH Medical strongly encourage consumers to purchase surgical masks from certified distributors like us.

How Masks Are Evolving


Fortunately, we’re seeing how rapidly fluid protection masks and N95 respirators are evolving. As a distributor forMakrite Industries, we’re witnessing these cutting-edge developments firsthand. For instance, the latest NIOSH N95 mask to grace the market is the Makrite 910-N95FMX. Ideal for frontline workers, the Makrite 910-N95FMX offers unmatched protection and comfort. In addition to meeting FDA requirements, it’s also adjustable, snug, and reliable.

Equally innovative is the Makrite model 9500-N95. Applauded for its durability and quality, the model 9500-N95 is NIOSH-approved and highly effective. In essence, it’s emblematic of Makrite’s 30 years of industry experience. If not for these modern versions of surgical masks, frontline caregivers and first responders would be at an increased risk of severe illness. As COVID-19 continues to prove a global threat, trusted manufacturers like Makrite are working hard to revolutionize and reinforce appropriate safety measures.

Market Trends

The need for surgical masks will only amplify as COVID-19 takes more lives. With that said, the N95 mask market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 53 percent for the next seven years. This unprecedented figure is evidence of the unwavering demand for N95 masks. To meet these expanding needs, it’s essential for qualified distributors to respond promptly and efficiently. At SPH Medical, we’re doing just that.

The Makrite N95 mask is one of our more popular surgical respirators. Much like the projected market trends, our figures are on an upward spiral. As we continue to fight this widespread virus, we’re proud to work with such a reputable manufacturer like Makrite that’s consistently providing for healthcare workers and industries. Whether you need a Makrite N95 mask or another top-notch surgical respirator, place your trust in SPH Medical.

CategoriesInfection Prevention

Finding a Trusted Supplier for N95 Facemasks

CDC Recommended N95 Facemasks

The pandemic has brought a lot of changes to the healthcare industry. From increased patient loads to shortages of medical supplies, there are many uncertainties are going into the future. One very specific medical supply that has got a lot of press lately is the N95 Facemasks.

The CDC has recommended this particular facemask as the most effective protective measure against the novel coronavirus. For this reason, the demand for the N95 Mask has skyrocketed in the healthcare, industrial, manufacturing, and general business industries. As with any sort of change in the level of demand, there are always people looking to capitalize. Unfortunately, this is wreaking havoc on the healthcare industry.

Having A Trusted Supplier Is More Important Than Ever Before

As the demand for these masks increases, more companies are trying to create distribution contracts with medical, industrial, manufacturing, and other business customers. Regrettably, not all of these distributors have the best interests of the end-users in mind. Many facilities don’t check to verify the legitimacy of these masks from unreputable distributors.

SPH Medical has been working with Makrite Industries, a company producing NIOSH N95 Masks and other similar products, for over 30 years. SPH Medical is an authorized global distributor that works directly with our supplier to bring healthcare, industrial, and manufacturing companies NIOSH certified masks. Currently, the Makrite N95 Mask is our most popular selling N95 respirator.

The Makrite Model 9500-N95 Respirator

The Makrite model 9500-N95 respirator is a vital piece of safety equipment for healthcare workers and other essential workers across the world. This mask has been in shortage since the coronavirus reached our shores earlier this year. Now there are many new entrants to the industry as new start up manufacturers race to produce N95 facemasks to meet the increasing market demand. Existing manufacturers like 3M and Makrite have implemented plans to produce masks at higher volumes than ever before.

Unfortunately, this ramping up of manufacturing takes time to implement and is often hampered by COVID-19 virus outbreaks causing manufacturing to be shut down. What was once thought of as a disposable mask that was to be thrown away after each patient interaction has become an all-day form of protection. Many healthcare facilities are still facing major shortages that require their staff members to use the same disposable mask for multiple patients. Some have been even instructed to keep using the mask until it’s visibly dirty or broken. SPH Medical is here to solve this crisis and is working to get N95 Masks into the hands of all frontline caregivers.

No Defense Production Act Order

As the COVID-19 pandemic was hitting record numbers, the former President utilized the Defense Production Act to remedy the nation’s shortage of ventilators. This Defense Production Act allows the President to order companies to manufacture products that are in short supply. The pre-pandemic ventilator manufacturers shared their trade secrets with these new manufacturers in an effort to enhance the supply of ventilators.

Since the Defense Production Act worked to eliminate the shortage of ventilators, many believe it should be used to remedy the NIOSH N95 Mask shortage. However, so far, President Trump has not enacted the Act. Rather, his party has overseen the scaling up of major mask manufacturers. As of right now, it doesn’t look like President Trump will be enacting the Defense Production Act for the production of N95 masks.

The Makrite 910-N95FMX Respirator and N95 Facemasks

The Makrite 910-N95FMX respirator is the newest innovation in the Makrite N95 Mask technology. This mask provides an excellent level of both protection and comfort for its wearer. Sealed with a Surgical Rating, the 910-N95FMX is a must-have for healthcare professional and frontline workers.

NIOSH certification requires that a mask undergo specific tests to ensure it conforms to the NIOSH standards outlined. Nelson Labs performs a variety of precertification tests, including valve leak, inhalation/exhalation, Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP), and Sodium Chloride Aerosol Challenge (NaCl) testing. NIOSH reviews these test results and provides the NIOSH N95 mask certification upon the mask meeting proper testing measures.

The Food And Drug Administration (FDA) is the agency that certifies a particular mask for surgical use. Masks cleared by the FDA show that they demonstrate flame resistance and an adequate level of fluid resistance. Both of these are considered highly important in the healthcare industry and in surgical settings.

In Summary

The future of the adequate supply of quality N95 masks is still uncertain for the general public and the healthcare industry. It’s now more important than ever before to be careful when selecting your mask supplier as many new companies have jumped into this market with lower quality products or even counterfeit products and are trying to capitalize on this health crisis. SPH Medical is a proven healthcare supplier that works directly with Makrite to ensure that healthcare professionals receive validated NIOSH Certified N95 masks.

The EPD is used for Thoracentesis
CategoriesPatient Handling

Epidural Chair for Epidural Safety

Epidural Analgesia for Pain Relief During Labor and Delivery

Epidural injections or epidural anesthesia is defined as regional anesthesia that blocks pain in a specific area of the body. To perform an epidural injection, the anesthesiologist utilizes a hollow needle to place an epidural catheter, which is a small and flexible plastic tube, into the space between the spinal column and outer membrane of the spinal cord (epidural space). This is in the middle or lower back. The area that the catheter will be placed will first receive a local anesthetic. As a result of the epidural injection, the nerve messages are blocked, which in turn causes numbness and also epidural pain relief in the lower half of the body. In terms of applications, epidural anesthesia is usually used for legs and lower belly surgeries, for helping control pain after chest and belly related major surgeries, as well as for relieving pain during labor and delivery. This is a complicated procedure so epidural safety is extremely important.

With respect to labor and delivery, a lot of women decide on having the epidural injection in order to cope with the severe pain during the whole birthing process. In this case, an epidural pump is utilized where pain relief drugs are continuously administered through the epidural tube mentioned earlier. The pain during labor is relieved as long as the drugs are being constantly pumped into the body. When the pumping is stopped, the entire feeling will come back within a few hours.

Epidural Pain Relief and Epidural Safety

In addition to epidural pain relief, the main pros for having an epidural injection during labor and delivery is being able to rest and relax, which helps a lot of women have a positive birthing experience.  Another main advantage for taking an epidural is that it helps women be more alert, which in turn allows them to take an active role during their birthing process. Last, but not least, recent research shows that epidural injections may play a role in reducing postpartum depression in a certain number of females.

With the high frequency of epidural injections occurring in during labor and delivery units across the country, it’s important to consider the manual patient handling involved in positioning patients and the safety risks for patients and nurses alike.  A device that should be considered is the epidural chair or the epidural positioning device (EPD). Patented in 2001, the epidural positioning device reduces risk of injury to nursing staff and improves patient comfort. The EPD features a 180 degrees adjustable face rest, a six position adjustable armrest allowing patients to comfortably rest their arms, an adjustable torso support to promote spinal flexion, and a height adjustable foot rest.  The EPD is not just for labor and delivery. The EPD is currently considered the standard of care by surgical staff to administer spinal blocks prior to total hip and knee surgeries. With the functional design and obvious safety benefits the SPH Medical EPD has become the standard of care wherever spinals and epidurals are performed.

From a clinical perspective, anesthesiologists are using the epidural chair permits to encourage lumbar, thoracic and cervical flexion, positioning patients in both a correct and comfortable manner and importantly a stable, safe and secure position as well. The stable positioning supported by the Epidural Chair reduced the risks of complication while the anesthesiologist places the epidural. Thanks to the EPD, nursing staff are not having to hold patients in a static position, apply counter pressure, or manually handle patients. A number of recent studies have shown that the comfort and satisfaction levels of a large number of female patients that received the epidural analgesia were significantly higher when the epidural positioning device was used.

Reduce Risk of Injury in The Labor and Delivery Unit

Healthcare workers and patients are placed at risk of injury in the labor and delivery unit when staff members are manually handling patients.  Whether it is holding, lifting, boosting or pushing the patient in a proper position, the patient not being able to change his or her position and follow the staff instructions, or even the patient being nervous, unpredictable or maybe nauseous and dizzy, positioning patients can be a very challenging task.

In point of fact, when handling patients during epidural injections, a large number of nurses are at risk of micro tears in their joints and vertebral discs that could eventually lead to injuries. Fortunately, thanks to the epidural positioning device, nurses and healthcare workers not only avoid these safety risks and challenging situations, but are also free to perform other imperative tasks.

CategoriesPatient Handling

Epidural Chair for Thoracentesis

Why use the Epidural Chair for Thoracentesis

Thoracentesis is an invasive procedure used to diagnose and medicate pleural effusions, during the treatment of a condition whereby excess fluid accumulates in the pleural space. Thoracentesis is used to manage symptoms like pain and shortness of breath. It relieves pressure in your lungs and provides epidural pain relief. The procedure also establishes the cause of the excess fluid found in the pleural space. Conditions such as tumors, lung infections, and heart failure are some of the causes of pleural effusions. This article offers you valuable information on the thoracentesis procedure and how the epidural chair can help the process.

Why is proper positioning important?

Patients are often encouraged to sit upright when the medical personnel performs the procedure. Sometimes women in pain during labor are encouraged to rest their hands on a pillow placed on a bedside table. It helps pulmonologists and sonographers access the posterior axillary space. That is a dependable part of the thorax and offers epidural pain relief to them.

Proper positioning is also vital for the safety of sick people. Hospitals should be guided by principles of Ergonomics when looking into their positioning. Ergonomics looks into the creation of tasks suited to worker’s capabilities. When used in handling the sick, it incorporates safety procedures and mechanical equipment used to move and lift them so that health care employees avoid manual exertions. Moreover, patient handling ergonomics maximizes their comfort and safety during movement.

How long is the procedure?

Thoracentesis is performed in a hospital by pulmonologists and sonographers. It usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. However, if an individual has a lot of fluid in their pleural space, it takes more than 15 minutes.

Why are nurses at risk of injury during this procedure, and why does the EPD benefit them?

One of the worst risk factors for nurse injuries during thoracentesis lies in moving and lifting patients. Manual handling of the sick is amongst the leading cause of back injuries, especially in nurses. Most American states require hospitals to adhere to the Safe Patient Handling program. This program evaluates high-risk tasks in inpatient units like pushing, pulling, lifting, and prolonged static holds. It establishes solutions centered on lessening the risk.

A nurse usually assists the patient to get into the proper position by moving around the bedside tray table and using the stool to offer support to their feet. During labor pain, they use a pillow to place the hands to ensure that they are comfortable. Nurses may trip if the bedside table is not locked securely. Therefore, risky positioning can contribute to unnecessary injury to patients and medical staff.

The Epidural Positioning Device benefits nurses in several ways. One of them is positioning the patient in a comfortable position that provides epidural pain relief faster. The nurse can help other health care personnel with other duties as they are not limited to holding the patient.

The device ensures that the sick person sits in the epidural chair steadily. That puts the nurse at ease when performing this procedure. It correctly positions the person who is ill since it is adjustable. Consequently, It helps the nurse to put them in the most optimal position. The epidural chair ensures there is no movement, which is crucial to nurses when conducting the procedure.

How does the Epidural Chair (Epidural Positioning Device) Help position Patients During Thoracentesis

The Epidural Positioning Device helps to solve risk factors attributed to administering the procedure and manual patient handling challenges. It assists in patient positioning to minimize unsafe manual patient handling that is being performed every day during this procedure. The EPD ensures a comfortable and relaxed flexed spine position for the patient while maintaining a stable position. Medical personnel recommend it for more than Thoracentesis including women in pain during labor, pain centers, and operating rooms. It also offers pain relief in the epidural as well as spinal relief.

The stand offers adjustable foot support to assist in patient positioning. It also has an adjustable mount for the epidural device that consists allows it to be attached directly to an operating table. The epidural chair reduces risk of errors, avoids accidents, improves patient comfort, and lowers injury risks to staff. These factors contribute to medical personnel satisfaction and patient outcomes. They are a comfortable and efficient option that guarantees the happiness of the sick and nursing staff.

CategoriesPatient Handling

EPD for Thoracentesis

What is Thoracentesis and what are the risks to patients and staff?

Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove the excess fluid that is found in the space between the lungs known as the pleural cavity. This is also sometimes called a Pleural Tap. The accumulation of fluid in the plural cavity is called pleural effusion. According to hospital staff patients with many different conditions or diagnosis experience this issue. Thoracentesis is performed for both diagnostic reasons, to determine why pleural effusion is occurring, and therapeutic reasons; to relieve the pressure on the lungs making it easier to breath, reduce pain, and shortness of breath. Patients can be seen in doctors offices and hospitals to drain this excess fluid. There are several key clinical staff members that are often involved in this procedure. In the hospital setting, thora’s are often performed in the imaging department.

Why the imaging department?

The imaging department is often the most common location to perform thora’s because the experts in ultrasound technology have the equipment needed to locate the right location in the rib cage to insert the needle for drainage. Sonographers are often tasked with all the patient prep and set up required to get the patient ready for the procedure. The pulmonologist will arrive after the patient is prepared perform the procedure.

Patients are typically sitting comfortably at the edge of a chair or bed and asked to lean forward over a table with a stool supporting their feet.

Once the sonographer has identified the correct location the doctor will clean the location and insert a local anesthetic to numb the area. Then the doctor will insert the needle between the ribs and into the pleural space to drain the fluid. The trained ultrasound staff will monitor the patient as the fluid is drained over 10-20 minutes. In some cases this will take longer.

What are the risks to patients?

There are several risks related to this procedure that are documented by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Rare complications include liver or spleen injuries. More common risks include a collapsed lung or pneumothorax, pain, bleeding, bruising, or infection.

Protecting patients and hospital staff

Over the last 10 years the healthcare industry has made significant progress nationally reducing risk of injury to nursing and hospital staff.  It has been well documented by the CDC/NIOSH and American Nurses Association after years of research by the Veteran’s Health Administration that clinical staff of all disciplines are at risk of career ending Musculoskeletal Disorders from manually lifting, moving, and positioning patients. Using Safe Patient Handling and mobility devices reduces a caregiver’s risk of injury and improves the safety and quality of patient care.

The EPD for Thoracentesis

A large University Medical Center’s Imaging department first contacted us in 2019 about Thoracentesis and the manual positioning issues they were facing. They described the unstable bedside table with non-locking wheels that they were having their patients lean over and the static holds that their staff were having to perform. The Imaging Director felt that their sonographers were manually positioning patients and being put at risk of injury. One staff member was injured which made finding a solution a top priority. In addition to staff injury concerns, patients were at risk of falling due to the current procedure of using the unsafe bedside table. They needed a better solution. The Epidural Chair or EPD seemed like a perfect fit. The head support, arm rests, and foot plate can all be positioned to support the patient safely and comfortably. They were excited to explore the use the EPD to support patients during this procedure.  After an onsite evaluation the feedback was unanimous. The pulmonologists and sonographers all agreed that the EPD was the ideal solution to reduce risk of injury to staff and to improve patient safety and comfort. Today the EPD for Thoracentesis procedures is becoming the new standard of care for patient and staff safety.

SPH Medical was founded on the principals of improving workplace safety for our frontline caregivers and improving patient outcomes through Safe Patient Handling and mobility across the entire continuum of care, from the ICU to home. Contact SPH Medical to request more information.

CategoriesPatient Handling

N95 Masks for Maximum Protection

N95 Masks for Maximum Protection

When dealing with a respiratory virus like COVID-19, hospitals rely on PPE such as N95 masks and gowns to keep staff members safe. Early on in the coronavirus pandemic, there were critical shortages of this essential gear. In hard-hit places like New York and California, doctors and nurses were crafting PPE out of supplies they had on hand. Even after several months, there are still concerns about shortages with each new wave of the virus.

Breaks in the N95 Mask Supply Chain

A NIOSH N95 mask is an essential piece of protection for medical workers. The N95 gets its name from its ability to filter 95% of airborne particles. When properly fitted, air passes through a filtration material that protects the wearer from exposure.

In the United States, the mask shortage began for several reasons. The 2009 swine flu epidemic depleted the national PPE stockpile. To cut costs, medical centers tend to order supplies as needed rather than holding onto a surplus. These trends meant that hospitals entered the first COVID-19 surge without sufficient PPE resources.

At the same time, manufacturers were not ramping up production, and the federal government did not engage the Defense Production Act for masks. Mask production increased. However, it was not enough to create a comfortable surplus.

Surgical vs. non-Surgical Masks

At the beginning of the pandemic, there was public confusion about masks. Another factor in the NIOSH N95 mask shortage was people outside the medical field purchasing masks for personal use. While the CDC was recommending cloth face coverings, ordinary citizens were donning surgical-grade masks.

The FDA gives a surgical rating to facemasks. Manufacturers design these masks so that they resist fluid splatters during procedures. However, most surgical masks are not respirators. The disposable masks worn by most hospital staff members will allow airborne viruses to travel through gaps at the edges.

When caring for COVID-19 patients, a surgical N95 mask like the Makrite 910-N95FMX offers extra protection. It has both the NIOSH rating as a respirator and the FDA surgical rating. This type of face covering allows medical personnel to treat COVID-19 positive patients with greater confidence.

Choosing the Right N95 Mask

The type of fit is an important difference between a Makrite N95 mask and a standard surgical face covering. A standard, three-ply medical mask protects staff members from bodily fluids, and it protects patients by blocking many of the airborne droplets from the staff. N95 masks create an airtight seal that forces inhaled and exhaled air through a filter. It requires a tight fit to do its job properly.

Medical staff members may need to try several models before they find the perfect fit. The Makrite model 9500-N95 has a traditional shape in two sizes. It comfortably covers the mouth and nose of most people. However, the innovative shape of the Makrite 910-N95FMX may provide a better custom fit for some staff members.

The Future of N95 Masks

The global supply of N95 masks continues to be a concern. As the current pandemic winds down, governments would be wise to resupply their stockpiles of PPE. Hospitals may also want to consider increasing their on-hand supply of masks. When these institutions increase their demands, manufacturers will ramp up production to meet them.

The Importance of Working with an Authorized Distributor

The sudden demand for PPE has led some distributors to seek supplies from foreign manufacturers who may not participate in a rigorous approval and quality-testing process. At SPH Medical, we think that our essential workers are too important to take this chance. We work directly with Makrite, a manufacturing company with 30 years of experience in the field. When a nurse or doctor at your facility wears a model 9500-N95 or another Makrite M95 mask, you can have confidence knowing that they are working with a high-quality product.

If you have questions about your Makrite N95 mask needs, contact SPH Medical today.

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